Paris, May or September?
 

Which would be your preference and why?

May, because it's way cheaper than September.

May is also sooner!

September because I tend to think the weather is more predictably nice. If I remember correctly, September is the driest month in Paris. If I went with May, it would be probably be later in the month. I spent a very cold and rainy honeymoon in Paris one May; I'm still slightly bitter!

September. I prefer the weather and it's just a better time for me to get away from home, and I don't want to be around all the French holidays, either. Nothing is really cheaper in May that I know of, at least not in Paris. Hotels are about the same price most of the year except some are discounted at end of July and August, and then can be higher around Christmas/NY holidays. A very few hotels raise rates in October for trade shows, but not the kind of places I stay. Everything else is priced about the same all year (food, museums, etc). Air fare is about the same also.

IN reality, I would prefer second half of September, not the beginning which is still a little dull for me, things haven't gotten back in the swing yet.

gomiki, the two times I was in Paris in May is was rainy.
I prefer September.
But May is indeed sooner .

I'm going in May and September. (And December). No time is wrong.

I love September. The weather is usually great with warm days and cool evenings. It's something to look forward to all summer.

May has longer days, pleasant weather not yet too hot and the city has not yet been inundated by the mobs of tourist hordes (so possibly more hotel bargains).

I was there in both early May and early-mid September and much preferred September. We went the first week of May and it rained almost the entire time. Mid-September was glorious!

I'd choose September. I love both but May is prettier at home than September so I'd rather be away in September.

A similar thread -
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-or-spring.cfm

I vote September.

Thanks to everyone for the opinions. Yes, May is sooner!

Judy, I hadn't thought of that. May is nice here. Usually. I think it might be too warm for me in May. But I remember how hot it was in Paris in the fall a few years ago.

May is indeed cheaper than September, but September has better weather. (However, there can be a heat wave, which is less likely in May, which can turn out cold.)

The month of May includes 4 holidays, during which some businesses will close for the day or take a long weekend.

May 1 is the worst, so try to come during the latter part of the month if possible.

It's a very good idea to check the opening times of anything you want to see - Google each official website to check their official calendars. There will always be someplace to eat.

It doesn't matter what the weather was during someone else's past vacation. It's highly likely it won't be the same when you're here, no matter which month you pick, due to climate changes.

The weather in Paris is really not reliable, and can and will change very quickly - that's why it's best to wait until the last minute to pack. Otherwise, you'll end up bringing too many clothes which will cover any situation - most of which will be heavy and most of which you won't end up wearing. Just check a reliable weather report two days before you leave, and re-pack, if necessary.

I have been there in May, Sept. and Nov. The weather as best the trip in Sept, or at least more consistent, but that was then and who knows what when you go.

The end of May, we came from London and Paris was actually pretty warm and humid for two days and then big change. Much lower temperatures and a fair amount of rain but not all the time.

November was sunny for almost all the time but fairly windy and cold.

Be prepared. I always have layers, never leave without my umbrella, and I really have no complaints about any of it, except the humid, I can't stand humid, but that was short lived, thankfully.

Are we settling a dispute between you and your SO?
If so, who votes what?

When do they put up the Christmas windows? I don’t know if we can go in September, and flights seems less expensive in December.

We've gone end of November and early December for the Christmas decorations and lights.

They put up the Christmas windows toward the end of November. The point about it being cheaper in May is that most of the big trade shows are in September, so hotel prices soar.